War of 1812 Discovery Series (#3)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Our Daily Rations (Part Two)
As with any food, even with today’s top advanced technology, foods can spoil and nature can inhibit or prohibit the quantity and quality of food available. Limited supplies of food can result from bruised and damaged fresh produce (due long haul distances) or to droughts, torrential rains or flooding. In 1812, the challenges were more oriented to such things as lack of proper storage. In 1808, mice damaged over 500 pounds of flour at one garrison alone. Fish, (although not supported by the military as “seldom a part of the men’s diet”) caused concern over fluxes and dysentery. Fish was fine, when caught fresh and were in abundance in the rivers. Hunting was practiced by soldiers, adding grouse and pigeons to their diets. However, supplies in 1803, had a series of poor harvests thus reducing food surpluses. In the War of 1812, all able-bodied Canadians were moved from the fields into the militia ranks. As the garrisons increased in size, there was a decrease in farm production. No “job search” would help them replace the vacant positions in the fields. The army’s demand for beef could not be met. Alas, our military officials sought to obtain the supplies from the U.S.A. and thus reduce the enemy’s resources along the border (Free Trade today?) Pork was used in a similar situation and had similar challenges. With little variety and “daily rations” for many in 1812, it now makes me wonder what they would think about the “foolishness and waste” in our society today? Gluttony of food occurs today and contributes to many health related issues, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity and just poor health in general! Perhaps we should all be aware of “our daily rations” and treat them as kindly as the soldiers of 1812 did!

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#3)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Our Daily Rations (Part One)
We are very blessed in our world some 200 years after the battles of the War of 1812. We have many choices for “our daily rations”. It seems even on limited budgets we are able to provide ourselves with a vast variety of cuisine! Even choices of foods from countries from literally around the world! We have fast food, prepared, packaged, frozen food, take-out food, eat-in food, microwavable food and so on! For many of us, we get to enjoy the bounty of our seasonal harvest, with ample fresh fruits and vegetables. With the War of 1812 Celebrations upon us, it led me to wonder about the choices of the brave men and women who fought for us. I don’t think “foods of convenience” were an option, nor the full amount of bounty that we enjoy today. In our day of “supersize foods”, it’s hard to image a soldiers “daily rations” which would have to sustain them throughout the long hot/cold physically challenging ordeals that lasted all day long. In my research, I was interested to learn quite a lot about "Our Daily Rations"!

Breakfast was served at 9 a.m. consisting of bread, milk, soup, tea and sometime butter. A special privilege was purchasing breakfast rations, such as cheese or pork, privately. The bread being part of the soldier’s diet was almost solely provided by flour from Canadian farmers and deemed wholesome and good. In Canada many regiments had the mess cooks prepare the bread, although the British Army had it made by contractors. Some regiments had their bakers make bread or biscuits, that was then sent to the men who were off fighting. (Similar to ordering and delivery of special goods, perhaps our first glimpse of “take-out”).

The main meal of the day was normally served around 12:30 p.m. At the beginning of the War of 1812, boiling meat was the common method of preparation. It had been estimated that ¾ of a pound of beef (bone included) would produce a pint of broth per person. With various cooks, the soup varied, sometimes including oatmeal and potatoes, flour or rice and veggies such as peas, beans, cabbage.

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#2)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Encampments (Part Two)
To begin, the basic “rule of thumb” at the Encampment was that "seniority" set the Regiment arrangements. Positioning was from right to left. Artillery and dragoons were set up in separate areas, this to accommodate their horses and equipment. My sisters and my “arrangements at our camp” were that our parents got the largest tent with the best view! We children were squished in atiny tent! In the War of 1812, the Company sergeants had their tents at the extreme right. The Common tents housed one corporal and 4 privates (where I suppose they hoped for a good cook and bottle washer). Each mess was responsible for their own rations (see article “Our Daily Rations” to come), cooking of meals and clean-up. While the Common tent of 1812 only slept 3 or 4 men, this was no problem, because others assigned to the tent were either out "on duty" or in “sick bay”. The Company Common tents were set-up closely with only 2 feet between each and 6 paces between the lines.

Behind the Company Common Tents were the Company Officer tents. Captains had their own tents in the right flank. They were assisted by two soldiers, who would “cater” to their needs (although these soldiers got paid extra to do so). Lieutenants were on the left flank and only had one “waiter”. Behind the line of Company Officers, the Major, Quarter Master, Linemen Colonel and Colonel had their tents. It makes sense, then, that the final positions (kitchen, camp fire and ammunition) at camp were set in the rear, away from the main Company area. There are many other interesting facts and “rhymes and reasons” that regulated the encampments and their occupants. It makes our worries about whether or not "DVD players" will keep the kids occupied or “coolers” will keep our massive food bounty fresh, seem far from the important in relationship to the methods of survival in the War of 1812.

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#1)

by Judi McWilliams

Introduction
Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic. The historical information contained in this series was obtained by researching internet articles. I have tried to present this information as accurately as I can. If you see any inaccuracies, please notify me by e-mail (judi@ontariofestivalsvisited.ca). Doing just a small amount of research has helped me understand and appreciate the efforts put forth by Re-enactors in their portrayal of our amazing past! Re-enactors truly bring our past alive and make it much more accessible to all Ontarians.

Encampments (Part One)
Re-enactors are “troopers” in the true sense. The Festival Nomad and I have visited several re-enactments of the War of 1812 through rain, shine, freezing cold temperatures, and blistering hot days. And I thought that we were “troopers” just by braving these elements! That is, until I realized just how much effort goes into organizing, participating and managing of a re-enactment event. From the encampments, to the accurate historic outfits, to the intricately orchestrated battles, it all adds up to a tremendous amount of effort and preparation. At the re-enactments that we have visited over the years I have noticed that neither rain nor shine seemed to dampen their spirits. Starting with the encampments, I noticed that there was a definite “rhyme and reason” to the entire set-up. Now a-days, modern “campsites” are usually booked and reserved spots. They are chosen by whether or not users want running water, electricity, a view of the lake or woods, and rustic or elaborate theme activities! Back in 1812 the encampments where chosen by tried and true specific guidelines and regulations.

(To be continued)

War of 1812 Celebrations...

For some time Judi and I have been visiting historical re-enactments. The first re-enactment event that we visited was in 2007. We traveled to the Hamilton area to the Battle of Stoney Creek held at Battlefield House Museum and Park. This re-enactment depicted one of the important battles during the War or 1812. We had a great time and have become fans of historical re-enactments ever since! Some notable re-enactments we have attended include Wasaga Under Siege (Wasaga Beach), the Marine Heritage Festival (Port Dover), Rise to Rebellion (Georgina Pioneer Village) and War of 1812 Military Re-enactment (Upper Canada Village). Ever since our first encounter with re-enactments and re-enactors, I have been thinking about ways to further the War of 1812 memories and to honour the men and women who are now organizing the bicentennial celebrations. To do this we have added the War of 1812 Celebrations sub-domain to our popular Ontario Festivals Visited website. Ontario Festivals Visited currently attracts over 17,000 festival web visitors per month. It is our hope that a good number of these visitors will log onto the War of 1812 Celebrations home page. If they do they will find all kinds of exciting information! There are articles with photos about events that we have visited in the past and, as we visit future events, these will been added to our "Celebrations Events Visited" section. Festival and event news already plays an important roll with the Ontario Festivals Visited website through the Festival News section( 2,500 festival web visitors per month). our new "Celebrations Headline News" page gives website visitors War of 1812 news. Our "Celebrations Notes" offers readers weekly War of 1812 related articles - past, present and future! The "Celebrations Newsletter" will be published quarterly (more often if warranted) and will contain articles about upcoming events, celebration event organizers and celebration event participants. Finally the "Celebrations Event Calendar" lists upcoming events and each listing is linked back to the event's website. This is a free service offered to event organizers!

It is our hope that all "War of 1812 enthusiasts" will enjoy our new "War of 1812 Celebrations addition" and will participate in it by submitting ideas, photos and articles to us. Judi and I look forward to the War of 1812 (Celebrations) beginning!

NOTE: This article has been simultaneously posted on our three (3) Blog sites... War of 1812 Celebrations Notes, Gary's Blog and The Adventures of the Festival Nomad.